Monday, June 16, 2014

Waffles. From a mix. Buttermilk. Raised. Buttered. With or without syrup. With fruit baked inside. Gingerbread. These are about all the ways I have dabbled in the waffleverse and it's probably why I still have the waffle maker I received as a wedding gift (and the husband that came with it). It only comes out for use a couple of times a year (the waffle maker not the husband), but apparently I have been living under a rock because waffles are not just for breakfast anymore! Hell's bells, sometimes they're not even for waffles!

A few weeks ago we tried Joy's delicious BLT waffles and I immediately started to imagine other sandwich to waffle conversions: open-faced cornbread waffles with chili, waffle reubens, or herbed waffles with gouda and ham, but first up, these cornbread-style waffles with pulled pork. The traditional pulled pork and coleslaw sandwich is more of a Carolina-style pork with no sauce and a vinegary slaw. This sandwich incorporates a little southern-style cornbread with sweeter pulled pork topped off with cool, creamy coleslaw. I haven't even told you the best part about using your waffle maker for sandwiches--all the benefits of fresh bread without having to fuss with rising, waiting, or heating up the oven (August is coming, people). Sheer genius.

Cheddar Cornbread Waffle Sandwiches with Pulled Pork and Coleslaw

One recipe made 4 full-sized Belgian waffles which made 8 mini-sandwiches which was plenty for 4 people. You could easily add a little chopped fresh jalapeno to the batter if you like spicy cornbread or 3/4 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels. I used packaged pre-cooked pork (for my local peeps I cannot say enough about HEB's Natural Seasoned Pork, we need to talk about tacos soon). Do ahead: the waffles can be made anytime and frozen tightly wrapped in plastic, then reheated in the oven or toaster oven until crispy again. The coleslaw and dressing can also be prepared a day in advance and stored separately in the fridge until right before serving. This recipe makes more coleslaw than you need for the sandwiches, so if you're not about leftovers--in which case I'm not sure who think you are--I'd make half the recipe.

Mix together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat together the buttermilk, egg, and cooled butter. Gently fold wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Add cheddar, corn, and jalapenos, if using. Cook according to your waffle maker instructions. If your waffle maker is unseasoned you may need to spray it with a little non-stick spray first.

For the Pork
2 to 2 1/2 cups shredded pre-cooked pork

1/3 to 1/2 of your favorite barbecue sauce

Nothing magical here. Mix and heat in microwave until warmed through.

Coleslaw
2 1/2 cups shredded green cabbage

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chopped cucumber (peeled first)

3 Tbls. onion (green, white, or yellow works fine)

1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted and cooled

1/2 cup mayonnaise (light is fine)

3 Tbls. half-n-half, whipping cream, or heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

Toss together cabbage, celery, green pepper, cucumber, onion, and almonds. If not serving right away, cover tightly and refrigerate. For the dressing combine mayo, cream, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Refrigerate if not using immediately. Right before serving, toss the veggies with the dressing.